I'm hoping that with the TV version of Gundam UC some more MS such as the AMX-006 Gaza D or AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn might finally get HGUC kits. Sleeves versions of the AMX-107 Bawoo and/or AMX-011 Zaku III would be great too.

No news for that yet, though since we are still early into the Re:0096 and since a lot of the Neo Zeon/Remnants kits that weren't released mostly feature in episodes 3-7 it might be a wee bit before we get the announcements!

So, another year, another wave of new Gunpla. I'm surprised somewhat that the hype is nonexistent here that an MG GM Sniper II is finally coming out. With that in mind I've now once again started to buy 1/100 kits. Well, I bought one, Grimgerde for $20 bucks thanks to Black Friday. Got an MG Amazing Red for Christmas. So does anyone have any hopes for this year's releases?

-Will we get a RE/100 Xi Gundam this year? Because I'd be all over that

-MG #200 is coming up, probably near the end of this year (The latest, MG Psycho Zaku Thunderbolt, is #193, according to Dalong). Any guesses to what it could be?

Here's my take: It can't be an RX-78-2, since we just got an Origin version, and the 3.0 is still pretty damn modern (Hell I'd say the 2.0 is still modern as well). I'd hate to see a 4.0 or a Ver. Ka 2.0. It can't be a Zaku II, because bad guy. It has to be iconic but at the same time, not ugly, so that counts Zeong out.

Right now, if they wanted a big release, I can see a Zeta 3.0 or Strike Freedom 2.0 being good candidates. I think the current kits are still relatively modern even being 10 years old, but they are showing some grey on the temples, so to speak, especially in SF's case, when you put it next to Freedom 2.0 and the upcoming MG Providence. It's also an iconic unit, same with the Zeta. I'm not sure how popular ZZ is in moonland but it's almost 20 years since that MG was released, so I'd put that as a dark horse. Burning Gundam might also take it; we've had quite a bit of GBF MGs. IMO Barbatos too early to get an MG and I think the 1/100 is too MG-like to begin with.

Or am I just making a big deal out of this? Turn A as #100 had some fanfare but that was 10 years ago and the HGs didn't make big deals about their #100 and #200. We might get something like some Thunderbolt GM or something, who knows.

I believe I have a 50/50 shot of getting this in the right section (either anime/manga or models) because it can be considered viable for either category, but honestly let me ask you guys this: how many hits did you think Minato got from Fumina for creating this Gunpla?

I see the hype of Gunpla slowed down a bit. Well at least for me. I retired from gunpla. I'm more into the pre built Tamashii Nations stuff, especially Metal Build. The master craftsmanship puts anyones skills to shame

I am glad they bumped up GM Sniper II to MG from Re/100. I honestly don't know why some that were on that plan were even there to begin with. Re/100 does best for obscure designs that either have a transformation sequence or are really friggen big. So hopefully Leo gets bumped up.

Really hope they announce a 00 project this year since it is the 10th anniversary of Gundam 00. We need those damn MG's! If Wing and SEED can get it, 00 should too.

As for the reveals at Shizuoka, well I know how popular the Unicorn Gundam is but I'm just meh about RG and Mega sized. ZZ Ver Ka. Is where its at but sadly I think Shizuoka's reveals finally became pbland as opposed to years ago. Maybe the Gunpla Expo took over that shock n awe we use to have.

-MG #200 is coming up, probably near the end of this year (The latest, MG Psycho Zaku Thunderbolt, is #193, according to Dalong). Any guesses to what it could be?

Here's my take: ... It can't be a Zaku II, because bad guy. It has to be iconic but at the same time, not ugly, so that counts Zeong out.

I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum: I would love to have some unique Zaku for the 200 milestone, maybe the MS-11 (maybe even Sanguine Mallet's commander type unit) or a AMX-011. On the other hand, as a an opportunity for something "big" I would certainly support something like a revised Perfect Zeong kit with the wings from the MSN-02R, essentially something like this:

Other potential candidates with great significance could include the MW-01, YMS-03 or MS-04 from The Origin, as cornerstones of the Mobile Suit development.

On a different note, I glad to see the AMX-103 as an upcoming RE 1/100 kit, and hope that more Axis/Neo Zeon units will also get gunplas in the not so far future. The one I would particularly like to see get one is the AMX-008 GaZowmn.

Well, I wouldn't really call this a nuke, its more of a powerful stun grenade. All of them sadly have the dreaded "参考出品" (Tentative Release) on their placards, so It remains to be seen whether they are release in 2018, beyond 2018 or even be released at all...

That may be true of most of those... But the Pixie and Efreet Nacht are by the previously revealed Gyan Krieger, so there's a good chance if the others aren't confirmed, those two are guaranteed to likely be P-Bandai. the RG Tallgeese however could easily be the RG to get the August release slot. I will give though... >.< Tentative Release is an easy Red Flag for these not getting released at all...

Out of all the announcements from this year's Shizuoka Hobby Show, the announcement of a new brave series model kit line from Kotobukiya does put a smile on my face. They have done a few of them with their super-deformed model kit lineup but I am guessing this could be them making non-SD kits of braves kind of like the Super Robot Wars OG mechas. If they release Seven Changer they got my money.